Some good news today: the US Department of Justice has increased funding for several offices and programs dedicated to ending violence against women. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered the news in a press conference this morning as part of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month program.

Holder said: “The President’s most recent budget is a testament to your efforts -- and to his focus on reversing current trends. For Fiscal Year 2011, an increase of nearly $30 million was requested for our Office on Violence Against Women. The budget doubles funding – from $15 million to $30 million – for our Sexual Assault Services Program, which provides crisis intervention, criminal justice advocacy and support during forensic exams. Funding for civil legal assistance for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault would be increased by $9 million. And, for the first time, the Office for Victims of Crime would set aside $100 million in funds specifically to address violence against women.”

Hopefully this money will go to good programs and not get tied up in bureaucracy. It sounds like it could provide a lot of new or expanded services for victims.